Vehicle longitudinal torsion member

ABSTRACT

A vehicle for traversing rough terrain having a torsion member extending between front and rear support members and means movably mounting the vehicle frame with respect to the torsion member.

United States Patent Archer [451 July 3,1973

[22] Filed:

[ VElllCLE LONGITUDINAL TORSION MEMBER [76] Inventor: James M. Archer,2917 Grand Avenue, Billings, Mont.

May 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 146,772

i521 us. Cl 280/124 B [51] Int. Cl 860g 11/18 [58] Field of Search280/124 B [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,025,078 3/1962Allison 280/124 B 12/1966 Crockett 280/104 /l959 Polhemus ..280/l04 VPrimary Examiner-Philip Goodlman Attorney-John J. Byme ABSTRACT Avehicle for traversing rough terrain having a torsion member extendingbetween front and rear support members and means movably mounting thevehicle frame with respect to the torsion member.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Pmmmm 3 ma 3.743.314

INVENTOR JAMES M. ARCHER 87%49. A T IVEY VEHICLE LONGITUDINAL TORSIONMEMBER This invention relates to vehicles which are used in rough oroff-road environments. It specifically relates to, but is not limitedto, track laying over-snow vehicles of a fourtrack type.

It is commonly known that all vehicles are constantly subjected totwisting or torsional loads about their longitudinal axis during thecourse of operation over uneven surfaces. It is an objective of thisinvention to provide a longitudinal member in a vehicle which willaccept these torsional loads while leaving the supporting chassis orbody substantially free of the damaging effects of these forces. It isoftentimes possible to utilize the longitudinal member of this inventionas a beamloaded structural component in addition to its expressly statedfunction.

Many vehicles are essentially supported by groundengaging means ateither end thereof such as wheels, tracks, or ski type runners. It is anobjective of this invention to securely connect the front support meanswith the rear support means through a longitudinally extending torsionmember.

The connection point between the ends of the torsion member and theground support means is of a torsionally rigid nature regardless ofwhatever other independent motion may be deemed necessary to aparticular design. When fastened in this manner, it is apparent thatupon the vehicles encounter with a ground surface irregularity whichcauses the raising or lowering of one side of either front or rearground support means, a torsional stress is introduced. This inventionprovides means for readily accepting and absorbing these stresses via alongitudinal torsion member.

The vehicle body, chassis, or any other delicate components whichrequire freedom from damaging torsional loads are mounted in a freelyrotatable manner about the longitudinal axis of the torsion member. Themeans of freely rotatable mounting permits the torsion member to twistwithin the bores of said mounting without imparting this twisting actionto the torsionally isolated components or mass.

Stability and relationship of rotatable position of the isolated mass isprovided for by a connecting link from it to a projecting arm or pointof fastening on the torsion member. The point of attachment may be atany point along the torsion members length but shall be indicated hereas the approximate center or halfway on torsion members length fromeither ground support means. Through use of such a link a constantrelationship of position is established between the isolated mass andthe torsion member only at the point of attachment of said torsionmember, leaving the balance of the lengths of the torsion member oneither side thereof, free to twist within the isolated mass.

A further object of this invention is to provide a change of attitude ofthe isolated mass as it relates to the attachment point on the torsionmember or, more specifically, to induce a leveling effect of the massshould the vehicle reside on a transverse plane of angle. This change isaccomplished by making the aforementioned link adjustable in length.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent tothose skilled in the art by reference to the following detaileddescription when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic-perspective of the principal elements of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts,the framework of this invention is generally indicated by the numeral10. The framework consists of a front support member such as the axle l2and a rear support member such as rear axle 14. As

shown in the drawings, the front and rear support members are axlessupporting ground-engaging members, wheels 16, at the outer endsthereof. The groundengaging members could just as readily be skis ortracks. A torsion member 18 extends between members l2 and 14 and isrigidly and securely affixed thereto at points 20 and 22. Theseconnections can be made by welding or the like.

Intermediate the length of torsion member 18, one or more chassissupport members 24 are rotatably mounted about the torsion member 18.The vehicle chassis or body 26 is mounted to these brackets by way ofbolts or the like 28. Extending outwardly from the torsion member andfirmly affixed thereto is a lug member 30 which is affixed to theframework by way of an adjustable link 32.

The vehicle described can be towed, in which case a prime mover isattached to one of the support members 12 or 14 as showndiagrammatically at 34. If the vehicle is self-propelled a moresophisticated connection must be made between one of the members 12 and14 and the torsion bar to permit steering.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed an effective andefficient embodiment of the invention, it should be well understood thatthe invention is not limited to such an embodiment as there might bechanges made in the arrangements, disposition, and form of the partswithout departing from the principle of the present invention ascomprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle for traversing uneven terrain comprising,

a first member at one end of said vehicle for supporting ground-engagingmeans,

a second member at the other end of said vehicle supporting secondground-engaging means,

an elongated, one-piece torsion element extending between said first andsecond members and centrally of said vehicle,

means fixedly securing the ends of said element respectively to saidfirst and second members, chassis support means freely rotatably mountedabout said element,

a chasis affixed to said chassis support means, and

adjustable linkage means connecting said torsion ele ment to saidchassis, said linkage means comprising a lug member fixedly attached tosaid torsion member and a link member pivotally attached at one end tothe lug and pivotally attached at the other end to said chassis.

2. The invention of claim I wherein said groundengaging means arewheels.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said chassis support means iscomprised of a plurality of brackets.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein bolt means affix said chassis tosaid brackets.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said securing means are welds.

l l I

1. A vehicle for traversing uneven terrain comprising, a first member atone end of said vehicle for supporting groundengaging means, a secondmember at the other end of said vehicle supporting secondground-engaging means, an elongated, one-piece torsion element extendingbetween said first and second members and centrally of said vehicle,means fixedly securing the ends of said element respectively to saidfirst and second members, chassis support means freely rotatably mountedabout said element, a chasis affixed to said chassis support means, andadjustable linkage means connecting said torsion element to saidchassis, said linkage means comprising a lug member fixedly attached tosaid torsion member and a link member pivotally attached at one end tothe lug and pivotally attached at the other end to said chassis.
 2. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said ground-engaging means are wheels. 3.The invention of claim 1 wherein said chassis support means is comprisedof a plurality of brackets.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein boltmeans affix said chassis to said brackets.
 5. The invention of claim 3wherein said securing means are welds.